Suction cleaner clamp



July 8, 1952 E. F. lMARTINET Erm. 2,602,685

SUCTION CLEANER CLAMP l Filed April '7, 1949 2 SI-IEETS-SHEET l f'x If u /33 A 44 e 2f 14 3Ll 3, 9 40 Y A IN VEN TORS Ezgene E'Maz'nel'v BYFrank Koren v M ewig? l0 TTORNEYS July 8 1952 E. F. MARTiNET ETAL 2,602,685v

SUCTION CLEANER CLAMP Filed April 7, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 wf sf ATTORNEYS by. rThe loosening=of the Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED *STATEs sU'C'rIoN CLEANER CLAMP Eugene FfMartinet and Frank Koren, Cleveland,

v Ohio,k assignors to Royal Vacuum Cleaner Com- Yp,a nyv,(illevelancl, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio aggravation April 7,1949', serial No.V 85,975 f if .113 claims. (ci. 29e-114)' The invention or discovery relates to swinging link bar clamps in general, and more particularly to swinging link bar clampsiadapted'for use in suctioncleaners of the tank'type where such clamps are used' to secure or clamp avclosure, cap

diicult to maintain close toleran-ces in the p roduction manufacture of molded "rubber gaskets. Asa result, sometimes vcertain portions of the gaskets, due to varianceindimensions, are not compressed to anygreatextent, if at all, and air leakage may occur atthejoint.' v f A 1 An even morel seriou's diiculty occurs due to the high vacuum under which v-tank type cleaners operate. When the cleaner-iis operating, a high vacuum nis present-.within the :tank-and cap or Yclosure, `men1be'r,'or.win `other words, low pressure exists -withinthetank relative to atmospheric pressure exterior'o'f thetank. This pressure dilerential Ycauses vthe closure` cap to movel or seat underl pressure toward fthe tank, compressing the gasket at the joint therebetween to a considerably greater extentthanv the gasket normally is vcompressed -by the-clamps `when the cleaner is not operating. A fixed pivot link bar 'clamp,', depending -on gasket compressionl for clamping-action, a fixed or stationary position, with respect to `the closure bell and tank casing-=-when clamped and when the cleaner' is not operating, Thus, as the` closure member and tankmoveftowardeach otherv compressing the gasket incident; to the `pressure differential vwhen vthe -cleaner, is operating, l the xed position clamp is released from engagement with at least oneof themembers clampedthereclamp thuseffected frequently is enough'thatthe ,clamp will unhook by itself during cleaner operation. T11-hereafter, when the cleaner is'shut foff, the clamps no longer secure the closure capv to the tank. Even though the clamp loosening is insufficient toresult in unhooking of the clamp;- the loosenessof the'clamp results in rattlingthereof during cleaner operation which is particularly annoying:

Accordingly, it is aprimary object of the present invention or discovery toprovidea'nimproved ycleaner parts clamped thereby.

, 1i Moreover, it is an object of the present inven w l tion to provide tank ltype suctioncleaner swing-g i swinging-link bar clamp for a tank 'type suction cleaner in which the construction vand arrangement of the clamp and its association with* the' suction cleaner `parts clamped thereby are such that the clamp will not become loosened during; operation of the suction cleaner under high vacuum regardless of Whether relative movement between the clamped parts occurs during; such cleaner operation.

It is a further .object of the present invention to provide, a swinging 'link -bar clamp for .use in a tank type suction cleaner in which the clamp` parts are arranged to impose a yielding clamping action at all times at the joint between the ing link bar clamp parts'so constructed and are ranged as to resist beingybentvout of shape or out of alignment in use4 and toresist lfailure in use. 1 Y f- Also, it is an object of ,thepresent invention ito: provide a tank type, suction cleaner-clamp which maintains the suction cleaner Iclosure capoii end bell pressed under tensionagainst the gasketvat the joint between the lend, bell and cleanentank under all suction conditions. 1 ,y f In addition,A it is an; object of the .present-invention to provide a tank type suction cleaner swinging link bar clamp constructed andarranged in clamped position to lie substantially `iiat against and to closely hug the cleaner walls with minimum projection laterally therefrom.Y

Finally, it is anA object of the present invention to provide a tanktype suctioncleaner/swinging link bar clamp construction having. afsi'rnplified arrangement of parts, permitting-economical manufacture, and convenience in use. l.

The foregoing and other objects are-,attained by the swinging link bar clamps, parts, combinar tions, and sub-combinatiens, v fhich'compri` present invention or discovery, fand the natureof, which is set forth inthe following general'state--` ment, and preferredembodimentsof which "are set forth inthefollowing description, Vand which; are particularly andV4 distinctly f'pinte'd -out and set forth in the` appendedf'claims y'forming parti hereof. W. W l

The nature of the improved swinging linkl barv clamp of the present invention or discoverymayv be stated in general terms as including first and second longitudinally extendingv membersfhaving opposite interengagingend portions, a resilient member preferably; interposed ibetvveen;l and in abutment with the opposite endsof the-longi-.

Anm'

the; t

tudinally extending members, the rst longitudinally extending member having a recessed clamp hook catch on its interengaging end, a laterally rigid longitudinally extendable tension spring link bar having one end secured to the second longitudinally extending member and a free end extending toward the first longitudinally extending member, the freeend of the spring link bar being movable longitudinally and transversely with respect to the second longitudinally extending member, a swinging link bar, one end of theV By way of example, embodiments of the im-` proved swinging 'link bar clamp of the present invention or discovery are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary View with portions broken away and shown in section showing the suction inlet-end of a tank typesuction cleaner including embodiments of the improved swinging link bar clamps in combination with other parts; 4 'f Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one of the improved clamps of Fig. l, 'and associated parts, the parts being shown in-cl'amped position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in unclamped or'released position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view as on line 4 4, Fig.v 2;

Figj5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing diagrammatically certain principles of construction and operation o f the improved clamp;

Fig. 6 is a view similar-to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of improvedy clamp construction;

Fig.f7 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 6 showing a further modified form of `improved clamp construction;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged somewhat diagrammatic View illustrating an end portion of the spring link used inthe construction of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view with parts broken away and in section of a still further modified form of improved clamp construction.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. v l

A usual horizontal tank type suction cleaner is indicated generally at I0, and includes in combinationwith vother usual tank typesucticn cleaner parts, a tank casing .indicated generally at II, and a front `or suction inlet end closure, cap, -bell or headindicated generally at I2. The casing II preferably is provided at its front or suction end I3 withaninwardly extending annular abutment flange I 4. The bell I2 includes a central dome I5,v a front annular inlet collar I6, and a rear annular walliI'I. The bell collar I6 has an outer face I8 from which extend radially outwardly one or more bayonetjoint lock pins I9, which are used in rthe usual manner for connection of the bell inlet collar I 6 with the annular connector end of a hose coupling, extension 4 tube, or similar suc-tion cleaner accessory, not shown. y

The bell wall I'I is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange indicated generally at 2Q from the outer periphery of which an annular end sleeve 2I extends. The sleeve 2I has an in- 'nerl surface telescoped over the outer surface of the front end I3 of the.Y "casing I I when the parts are assembled.

A recessed clamp hook catch is provided in the front face of the bell flange by forming an outwardly opening annular catch groove 22 in the fiange20 by reversely bending the same to overhang the wall I 1.

In the assembled suction cleaner I0 the bell flange 20 is `spaced-forwardly from the casing YV'flange' I 4, and in the central opening of the flange I4 there is located the cleaner iilter or dust collector bag inlet ring indicated generally at 23 which preferably includes a cylindrical band 24 having formed `therein an `outwardly opening annular groove' 25. The cleaner bag 25 The gasket 29 is located vbetween and abuts thez opposite faces of the casing nange If! Aand thev bell ange 20.

The suction cleaner II) furthermore includes two or more and preferably a pair of opposite improved swinging link bar clamps each indicated generally at 3|).y The `clamps V3|] yieldingly clamp the opposite interengaging telescoping end portions of the casingII and thebell I2 with the gasket 29 interposed betweenanges I4 and 2B, as above described, to form a joint sealed against air leakage between-members II and' I2. The casing II and bell I2'may otherwise be described as firstV and second longitudinally extending members having opposite interengaging end portions,V and each clamp 30 includes in its parts the rst and second longitudinally extending members.

Each clamp 30 furthermore includes a laterally rigid longitudinally extendable tension spring link bar 3I having a rear end 32 secured to and upon the outside of the tank casing I I by rivets 34. The'front endv 33 ofspring bar 3I extends toward the front end I3' of the tank casing II and toward the bell I2. The spring link lbar 3I is made from a flat strip ofspring steel which after forming Vis hardened and tempered. For attaining the desired lateral rigidity in the spring link bar 3|, its *width is many times its thickness. Y

As shown, the free end 33 of thespring `linkbar 3| preferably is formed with a deep V bend 35 .aleofa',esty

position, as shown in-Fig; 3, tl-1e. reversev bend' the channel base 3S being cutaway at opposite ends. At oneend lthe channel legs 40 vare connected with the free end 33 of the spring link bar. 3| by a laterally extending `pivot pin 4| which rotatably fits in the loop 31 and has its ends secured in the channel legs 4 0.

Each clamp 3|) also includes a hook link bar 42 which as shown is formed from a channel section including a web 43 and legs 44. The outer ends of the swinging link bar channel legs 40 fit and extend between the hook link bar channel legs 44 intermediate the ends thereonand a laterally extending pivot pin 45 rotatably fits in ap ertures formed in the swingingA link bar channel legs 40, and the ends of the pivot pin 45 are secured in the hook link bar channel legs 44. At the front end 46 of the hook link bar 42, the channel legs 44 are formed with longitudinally extending notches 4'! for receiving the'bell and sleeve 2| when in the clamped position asshown in Fig. 2. The forward ends of the hook link bar channel legs 44 are cut short of the forward end ,of the web 43 which is formed as a rearwardly'opening hook 48 having a hookextremity 43. f. .f

When a tank type suction cleaner 1s bemgused,

the dust collector bag 26 becomes iilled with dust and is required to be emptied from time to time. In order to empty the bag 23, the end bell I2 is removed by unlatching the clamps 3i] whereupon the bag 26 may be lifted from the tank. After emptying, the bag 23- is replaced in -tank I and the end bell I2 is teleseoped overthe front end |3 of the tank II. The clamps 3|] are then operated to securely clamp the end bell, I2 tothe tankII.

This clamping operation is shown in Figs. 2, .3 and 5 wherein one of the clampsV is illustrated in Fig. 3 with its parts in released position just Vready for clamping. In this released' position, the hook 43 of link bar 42 extends into recessed groove 22 on the bell member I2 andthe link bar 42 extends outwardly at an angle from the tank I I, the swinging bar 33 also lying in an angled position with respect to the link bar 42 and the tankI I I.

The rear or free end of rthe bar 42 is then press-ed toward tank I I fromr the position shown in Fig. 3 until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 2. is the link bar 42 is initially `pressed downward, the reverse bend 33 at the free end 33 of the spring link bar 3| moves downward until it contacts the tank wall Il. The free end 33v of bar 3| and pivot pin loop 3`|l thereof then move somewhat longitudinally of the tank toward the front or open end thereof. Such movement is permitted because the bar 3| considered as a whole can stretch or elongate longitudinally -by a widening of the V in the deep V bend 35.

This so-called stretching or elongation o-f the end portion 33 of spring bar 3| continues until a straight line passing through the contact point of the hook 49 with the bell recess groove 22 and the center of pivot pin 45 (designated'by dot-V dash line 5U in Fig. 5) coincides with a straight linev passing through the Contact of'hook 49 with recess 22 and the center of pivot pin 4| (designated .by dot-dash line 5| in Fig. 5).

As downward pressing of the bar 4 21continues, line 5||A moves below line'5| to thefial'pos'ition shown in Fig. l5 and pivot pin :45 moves-below line 5|, pivot ping'4l being above 'line-50;'f In other words, pivot pin 4|"ineffe`ct has passed'over 'cen ter and because the' freeend '33v of spring link bar- 3| is normally spring biased away froin casing? I as illustrated in Fig'. 3, pivot pin 4 lf'and reverse bend 36 of spring link bar 3| move upward away from the casing tothe final positionfshownin and clear ofthe casing II Fig. 5 wherein the reverse blend 36'is spaced abovel It is desirable, in the possible above or'awayfromcasing "I I "Qin'order to obtain the greatest -distance possible vbetween the pivot pin 4 I -and the'linewl)v Vso thatthe spring' link bar v3| exerts maximumfeffort constantly urging the hook link bar 42. toward clamping position, and holding 'the same in such position.`

The fact that the `freeend 33 of spring link bar 3| is normally spring biased away'f'from casr ing II helps to achievethis result by "ac'z'tually' raising the pivot point duringthe 'I inalcourse'of' movement of the clamping bar'r42to` locking posi-4 tion. In other words, they higher that thepivotpoint 4| isV- above line 50 thejmorev secure isjthelocking action and the more theclampstructnrelends' to urge the clamp toward-jandhold'it irl-locking" Position. .A l fi'' The yielding clampingpressure-thus ex tedby the hook link bar` 4`2onfthe' bellfiflange "2li-and' the resilient gasket'` 25 "iseiectiveti maintain the beu I2 sea1e agar the gasktj'lzs' and the tank an ge f| 4f in air-tightfrelationfat allE times during'operationvo'f the cleaner yIl) WV'cl under .all suction conditions.'

Auhough' the-spring "unk' y bar" 3| may eiong'atef as described and the'center line of piv'ot 4| may move lengthwise or crosswise of the cleaner tankg nevertheless, the lateral rigidity f of "the spring bar'3|,' thelink bar 38 andhthehookjbar 42L provides l'a constructionin which all "'offitne clamped parts are highlyresistant tov bein bent' out of'shape or to beingftwisted outfo'f alignment inl use and provides a` construction which failure or breakage of any of theclampd parts is unlikely to occur. i 7:" i

Fig. 6 shows a slightly mod ied lform of` irnproved clamp construction which is identical to' that shown. in Fig.` *5 excepting forfa diiferent shape for the free end of lthespring linkbar 3|. In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the

reverse bend 52 atfthefendl'of spring'link'bar 53 'is shorter than thek reverse' beleid 36 at the endof spring bar 3| and isv more 'nearly-spiral in shape. This modif-led construction does not depend on spring biasing thelooped end-ofthe spring bar away- "freni the tank II V to obtain movementfof the pivot point 4| vaway "from" the tank' I when rthe clamp 'i'slolcked under'tension.

The act of putting-tension 'on- 'spring'SStends tov unwind loop 52 in 'such vra Way fasutofinove the pivot' point 4| farther l awayirom theftank* |1|,` thereby increasing the'- distance between-the pivot point 4 |"and the casing andthus ob taining the same resultant' action#thatv is""ob'' tained bythe construction andarrangementlv spring 3| in Figs. 1 to' 5. Accordingly,v in`b0th" i constructions snov'vn'` in Figs. 1 through 6, the' pivot fp'inllfin clamped position is pushing Vaway 'from' the' tank ...In the construction shown-'in Figs'.- 1 tof`5', this' imesh'-l ing of the pin'll` away-from" thetank 'I occur-s1 lfdnalclamped position," that 'the pivot point 4| be as highgor as far as locked position and from-the normal springbias of the reverse bendv3Ii as illustrated in Fig. 3. In-the construction shown in Fig; 6, they pushing away ofthe pivot pin 4I- from the tank I I when the clamp is` in locked position results from the mechanical leveragev existing at the full locked position of the parts and the unwinding action of looped end 52 described.

A further modified form of construction is shown vin Figs. Yl and 8 which again is identicaly to the constructions shown in Figs. 1 throughv 6 excepting for the construction and arrangement of the free. end of the spring linkV bar. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 7 vand 8, the spring linkbar I!y is formed atits. free end with a -loop 55 for mountinggthe pivot; pin 4I at the end of a straight arm portion56 which slants backward toward the rear end of the tank I I, the slanting portion- 56 being connectedby portion 51 with the deep V bend 58.

The free end 56,-.-57 of the-spring link bar 54 is not spring biased away from the tank II but a part. of portion 51 lies against the wall of tank II at all times.

When the spring 54 is placed under tension during the clamping action, the free end thereof is pulled forward towardthe end bell I2 and at .the same time, the` loop 55 for the pivot pin 4I swings in an arc as illustrated in Fig. 8, where the position when maximum clamping pressure is applied is illustrated in dot-dash lines.` Thus, the same desired actionroccurring inthe constructions of Figs. l2 and occurs inthe construction illustrated in Figs, '7 and-.8, .nar'n'elyy the pivot point IIIv rises with respect. to the Ywall `ofV tank II under increased tension, .it being clear from Fig. 8 that the center of loop 55 is raised in the tensioned position illustrated in dot-dash lines above'the free position illustrated in full lines, v y .A

Fig. 9v illustrates a vfurther modied form of construction; inA Awhich a rigid bracket V59 is mounted on tank II havingrears 60 in which pin 4I is.. pivoted, the ends of Apin .4I being'connected at 6I with 'legs 620i spring link 63.- .'Ihe rear` ends of legs .62 are pivoted at .64 ,to pivot pir145 mounted on hook link bar 42.

The member 63 is formed ofspiing stock and thelegs 6 2 have arches 65 formed therein similar to. the. V bend 35 in .spring link bar 3|. In this construction, because the'bracket 5,3 is rigid, the pivot point Ill ,cannot rise from the tank I I when the clamp is in locked position, but the push of spring legs .62 when-the clamp is locked exerts a force tending to-raise the pivot point 4I so that the.' same ultimate eiect is obtained and continuous tensionbetween the bell member I2 and tank lI is obtained under all stages of suction when the .cleaner is in operation.v

Accordingly, the present invention provides a clamp construction for tank type suction cleanerseliminating prior art diculties, solving problems which have existed in the art, and obtaining the described new results not obtained by prior structures. Thus, the improved clamp `structure is one in which'the clamp will not become loosened .during koperation of the cleaner; in which;V lthe clamp parts are constructed and arranged to impose a yielding clamping action at all times at the joint between the cleaner parts clampedthereby; in which the clamped parts are constructed to resist being bent out of, shape or alignment :in use `and to resist breakage or failure;

irl-which a apri-,ng member is incorporated as oneA 0f the elements of a swinging link bar clamp.

which is maintained in tension at all times and under all suction conditions when the clamp is in clamping position; in which the clamp when in clamping position lies fiat against or closely hugs the cleaner walls; in which the clamp parts when clamped tend to lock the parts more rmly in position; and in which the. clamp parts are simple in design and economical to manufacture.

In` the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are utilized for descriptive purposes herein and not for the purpose of limitation and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described are by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction of the various parts.

Having now described the features of the invention, the construction and operation of preferred embodiments of the improved clamp, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful devices, constructions,l arrangements, combinations, subcombinations, parts and elements and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof, obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim: Y

1. In clamp construction for a .closure member of a tank type suction cleaner, a laterally rigid spring link bar having one end rigidly fixed to the cleaner tank, there being a laterally extending V-shaped corrugation formed in the spring bar adjacentits other end, said other end of the spring bar being reversely bent beyond said corrugation and terminating in a bearing loop, said V-shaped corrugation and said reverse bend providing tensioned movement of said bearing loop longitudinally and outward of the cleaner tank, a swinging link bar, a laterally extending pivotV connection between one end ofA the swinging link bar and the bearing loop, a hook link bar, a laterally extending pivot connection between the other end of the swinging link bar and the hook link bar, and the hook link bar having a hook end adapted to engage the cleaner closure members.

2. In clamp construction for clamping together two members of a tank type suction cleaner, a laterally rigid spring strip metal link bar having one end rigidly fixed to one member to be clamped, there being a laterally extending V-shaped corrugation formed in the spring bar adjacent its other end, said other end of the spring bar being reversely bent beyond said corrugation and terminating in a laterally extending bearing loop, said V-s'haped corrugation and said reverse bend providing tensioned movement of said bearing loop in directions generally longitudinal with respect to and normal with respect to the spring bar, a channel-shaped swinging link bar, a laterally extending pivot connection between one end ofthe swinging link bar and the bearing loop, a channel-shaped hook link bar, a laterally extending pivot connection between the other end of the swinging link bar and the hook link bar, the hook link bar having a hook end adapted to engage the other member to'be clamped, and the channel-shaped swinging link bar nesting over and enclosing the spring -bar and the channel-shaped hook link nesting over and enclosing the swinging link bar when the parts are in clamped position.

3. In clamp construction for a closure member of a tank type suction cleaner, a laterally rigid spring link bar rectangular in cross section having one end rigidly xed to the cleaner tank, there being a laterally extending inwardly opening V-shaped corrugation formed .in the spring bar adjacent its other end, said other end of the spring bar being formed with an outward projecting reverse bend beyond said corrugation and terminating in a bearing loop, said V-shaped corrugation and said reverse bend providing tensioned movement of said bearing loop longitudinally and outwardly, a swinging link bar, the link bar being pivoted at one end to said loop. a clamp bar, the clamp bar being pivotally connected to the other end of said link'bar, the clamp bar having a hook end adapted to engage REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,328,003 Gardes Aug. 3l, 1943 2,462,282 Pickford Feb. 22,4 1949 

